Thread: Why Do You..

Ok, I drift into this Conversation Forum from time to time. I was posting replys here, but then I realized "I am here to relax and enjoy myself, not poke somebody in the eye or get poked in the eye".

In 30 years, I have never had my mind changed on my religious or political beliefs. Neither have I changed anybody's mind. And it gets downright hostile here. It's not that I can't hold my own in one of these threads, its just that it seems to me that we meet here to find some common ground and to put aside the devisive rhetoric that plagues the rest of our lives. I can't seem to find the point to it.

So my question is, why do you do it? Or is it more friendly than it seems in the threads? Without much effort, I can tell you who's position will be what and probably even what they will write.

So why?

Your Friend,
David

There are many reasons guys post here. Some probably think they can change a mind or two, some like to get up on a soapbox, some are blowing off some steam, some have an agenda to advance, some just like to talk about a variety of subjects, and some like to make trouble and stir the pot.

Of course there are also posts here where people ask for assistance with a variety of topics.

Back in the day, barber shops used to be places where folks met to shoot the breeze and discuss all manner of things from politics to philosophy and religion. And the barber would make sure that the conversation remained civil and polite.

Thats basically the idea of the Conversation forum, except the mods dont shave people..!

I dont always get involved in conversations, it just depends on whats being talked about. There have been threads here that have been thoroughly educational and I've really learnt alot from other peoples points of view.

Granted, there will be the odd thread that goes south if the topic is a particularly heated one, or if someone gets wound up or decides to stir the pot, but this is a rare occurance in my experience. For the most part, the conversations here are civil, polite and informative and I really enjoy getting involved.

I guess it really comes down to what you want to get out of SRP. If you want it to be straight razor shaving resource only, then thats cool and we're all here to help. If you want to talk about Gordon Browns tax policy as well (such as it is... ) then thats cool too, and there will be a variety of opinions and responses to mull over.

Its definately a great forum that way, and the membership base here are very polite and helpful. I've seen so many forums where posts descend into hurling abuse within a dozen posts, and mods are using the forum as some sort of power trip, and its just totally rubbish to be there.

But here we have a mix of it all. Interest in the topic, polite and knowledgable members and a great management team who keep things on track and let us talk about things over and above the sites raison d'etre. We're very lucky I think..!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

There are many reasons guys post here. Some probably think they can change a mind or two, some like to get up on a soapbox, some are blowing off some steam, some have an agenda to advance, some just like to talk about a variety of subjects, and some like to make trouble and stir the pot.

Of course there are also posts here where people ask for assistance with a variety of topics.

I understand. I know that there are many topic posted here. I was just wondering about the ones that really get under peoples skin.

I may be really underestimating the ability of the members here to leave the thread and "let by-gones be by-gones".

I sure hope this question doesn't heat anybody up.

Originally Posted by Stubear

Back in the day, barber shops used to be places where folks met to shoot the breeze and discuss all manner of things from politics to philosophy and religion. And the barber would make sure that the conversation remained civil and polite.

Thats basically the idea of the Conversation forum, except the mods dont shave people..!

Ok - fair enough! I can except that!

I think it is obvious why people spent their time on forums related on shaving and razors. What it comes to 'conversation', for me it is probably just exchanging ideas on various topics around the world. Seeing another point of view is one of the best things here.
I'm not trying to change how other people are seeing things. I might change mine if i find that i've been wrong. I try to keep myself from getting upset or provoked as i know it doesn't get anywhere.

Related to some other international or national forums, conversation here is really friendly and civilized. Most of the time. Maybe this is just like in the barber shops of the old days.

Originally Posted by Sailor

I think it is obvious why people spent their time on forums related on shaving and razors. What it comes to 'conversation', for me it is probably just exchanging ideas on various topics around the world. Seeing another point of view is one of the best things here.
I'm not trying to change how other people are seeing things. I might change mine if i find that i've been wrong. I try to keep myself from getting upset or provoked as i know it doesn't get anywhere.

Related to some other international or national forums, conversation here is really friendly and civilized. Most of the time. Maybe this is just like in the barber shops of the old days.

I have a feeling I'm giong to get a whole lot of responses like yours. My curiosity is quickly being satiated.

Stubear:
Back in the day, barber shops used to be places where folks met to shoot the breeze and discuss all manner of things from politics to philosophy and religion. And the barber would make sure that the conversation remained civil and polite.

Sailor:
Related to some other international or national forums, conversation here is really friendly and civilized. Most of the time. Maybe this is just like in
the barber shops of the old days.


Exactly, my take also,,, I always think of the Convo as our little version of Vegas too "What goes on here stays here"

Myself I really don't have many people where I live in the first place, and most everyone here is pretty much the same when it comes to politics and religion... So this forum let's me debate with intelligent gentlemen that have sometimes very different views than my own....

You know... I've actually had my mind changed on some political views based on discussions like this. It's not often, but it's happened. Of course, I tend to be open minded and ready to admit that my position is wrong if I'm shown compelling evidence...

I'm kinda with you. I'll jump in here with philosophical quandaries, general ethics, and what have you, but I avoid the hard politics and religion.

It's not that I find that aspect of the discussion on SRP unfriendly. In fact, I think it is far more friendly than most places.

It's not that I can't "man up." Politics was my thing for years.

But I have plenty of other places to discuss those things, and the simple fact of the matter is this:

There are certain beliefs that if I know someone holds them, I cannot respect them. It's only a couple things in particular, so it's not like I want everyone to think like I do. I'm open to diverse beliefs, but these couple things really, really bother me.

However my own life and mind has brought me to these conclusions, there are some things we still debate that I think are so archaic in terms of ethics that I just can't like someone who argues the point, and I don't understand how anyone can believe things like that. To me, people who argue these things are like people who argue in favor of bringing back public stoning for trimming your beard, or selling off your daughter for marriage in exchange for a cow.

Once I know, my opinion of that person is forever tainted.

I know that sounds immature. It probably is. But on some of these issues, we're all immature. That's why it gets so heated.

So I just stay the hell out of a lot of the political discourse here. I like you all too much to let something like that taint my thinking to the point where I don't want to talk to someone.